Newb questions

Hello Folks, Thanks for helping us newbs out. I'm struggling but having fun in my first two leagues. I think a monkey might make better GM and Managing choices than I have so far. There is always next year/leauge...


Two questions for the community. Thanks again for all your support!!!

1) Where/how do you get splits pre 1980. I used Major League Baseball's stats for back to 1980, but prior to that I am in the dark.


2a) I have read some helpful Sporting News forums threads on closing but I am still confused. Regarding 1986, I have Frank WIlliams and Ricky Horton. Both had stellar excellent regular 1986 seasons, but they were set up guys and only had about 5 saves between the two of them. They are getting lit up for me in the sim. I am not overusing them. I do not have them set on slow hook. But I am using them both as closers.

My theory is that since they weren't closers, that they are coming into closing situations already tired from the get go. Similar to using a guy with no C rating as a closer. 1986 is prior to C ratings, but the same thing is at work, right? This is my working theory.

Is this theory correct, or is something else at play?

I'm picking up Jeff Reardon who had a so-so year in relief, but did have 35 saves. I may set him as my closer, and use Williams & Horton for all the other significant roles (set up, tied and late, tied and 9th+, mop-up, and behind and late).

Any and all thoughts are appreciated!!!!

2b) In ATG (post WW - II), the closer rules are turned off??? If this is correct, then any reliever can close without penalty? Or is another formula at work....?


Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Folks, Thanks for helping us newbs out. I'm struggling but having fun in my first two leagues. I think a monkey might make better GM and Managing choices than I have so far. There is always next year/leauge...


Two questions for the community. Thanks again for all your support!!!

1) Where/how do you get splits pre 1980. I used Major League Baseball's stats for back to 1980, but prior to that I am in the dark.


2a) I have read some helpful Sporting News forums threads on closing but I am still confused. Regarding 1986, I have Frank WIlliams and Ricky Horton. Both had stellar excellent regular 1986 seasons, but they were set up guys and only had about 5 saves between the two of them. They are getting lit up for me in the sim. I am not overusing them. I do not have them set on slow hook. But I am using them both as closers.

My theory is that since they weren't closers, that they are coming into closing situations already tired from the get go. Similar to using a guy with no C rating as a closer. 1986 is prior to C ratings, but the same thing is at work, right? This is my working theory.

Is this theory correct, or is something else at play?

I'm picking up Jeff Reardon who had a so-so year in relief, but did have 35 saves. I may set him as my closer, and use Williams & Horton for all the other significant roles (set up, tied and late, tied and 9th+, mop-up, and behind and late).

Any and all thoughts are appreciated!!!!

2b) In ATG (post WW - II), the closer rules are turned off??? If this is correct, then any reliever can close without penalty? Or is another formula at work....?


Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1) http://www.baseball-reference.com/ - click the splits tab which is located above the player's stats

2) I'm not an expert on bullpen stuff but I think your take is correct. A medicore closer will probably do somewhat better than any reliever not rated to close if the closer rule is used.

If you check the play-by-play tab, you can see the F-rating of your pitchers. So, you can see if your relievers are coming in at F0 in closing situations.

I've checked the play by play for over 25 games in my 1986 games. It never says anything but F9 for every pitcher in every game for every play. I can't find an exception to this, including when Williams/Horton come in to closing situations.

I don't know what to make of this. Maybe the F function is disabled or broken for the 1986 year. Or perhaps it is just that no pitcher is getting tired (unlikely, but possible).

If the F function is not disabled or broken, then it suggests there is no closer rule in effect. So I guess my question still remains: Is there a closer rule for the 1986 game which penalizes non-closers used in closer situations?


Regarding the baseball reference--thank you very much! It does the trick for pre-1980 players except for players from the Negro Leagues, where there don't seem to be splits (at least when I looked up Spot Poles). Even with that limitation, I just think it is fantastic that these players are a part of Strat.